Everyone knows that Daft Punk have an untouchable quality. It is a widely established fact that their productions are perhaps the hardest in the industry to rework or remix. This isn't because they use odd time signatures or sample to the extent that the original is barely recognisable. Oh no, instead, what it boils down to is that their productions are of such a high quality that it is borderline impossible to expand upon them or do them justice through a reinterpretation. Any time I see any form of Daft Punk remix, whether it is by an unknown or critically acclaimed producer, I go out of my way to get my hands on it and nearly every time I come away disappointed. In some respects, this makes me appreciate their talent even more because it really demonstrates that they're in a league of their own. While some could argue that Soulwax's remix of Robot Rock was an improvement on the original, I only partially agree. Soulwax did so little with the track, adding extra beats here and there that it almost entirely retained the originals feel, which is actually a testament to them because it remained one of the best and only worthwhile Daft Punk remixes out there, that is, until a certain Sydney-born producer exploded onto the scene.
When I was first introduced to Daft Punk - One More Time (Redial Goes To Hell Remix), I honestly didn't know what to think. I was both shocked and excited synchronously. It managed to encapsulate the original whilst bringing it to a level not before seen in dance music. The first question I asked was who the hell is this guy? The answer: A currently virtual unknown getting his name out there by not only doing justice to a Daft Punk track, but in many ways bettering it. A few years ago I would have considered such a prospect inconceivable but here was a guy who hit home with such deliverance that it was difficult not to like his style. From that point onwards, Redial featured in some shape or form in almost every mix we made, such was the impact of his productions.
Apparently we weren't the only one's who took a shine to him. Not only did he manage to play alongside the likes of Danger and D.I.M. within a short period of time, but he was also picked up by the record label Sweat It Out (home to the likes of Edu K, Yolanda Be Cool, DJ Funk, Gameboy/Gamegirl, Act Yo Age, G.L.O.V.E.S, Zombie Disco Squad etc) and has just completed a European tour and signed US touring exclusivity to promotion agency Noise Problem. There is little doubt that he is making serious progress in all the right places, releasing a healthy array of original productions and remixes on a regular basis. Don't get me wrong, he is not pulling a Crookers and releasing half-assed remixes every other week. Rather, he has been keeping it fresh yet consistent, the way it should be done. It is difficult to accurately describe his music. Like most electro artists, he has a flavour that is inextricably his own. If you know what to look for, a lot of the time you can spot his productions without any form of prompting. While his tracks are usually layered around a main synth-laden hook, it isn't always the archetypal electro synth that you would expect. Alternatively, he pays homage to music from the 1980s in a similar way that Kavinsky does. Though this homage is evident in many of his productions, he manages to remain both contemporary and relevant through his hardhitting buildups and conclusive breakdowns and that's what sets him apart.
I honestly don't think I could pick a favourite or standout track by him, as I adore the vast majority of his discocraphy, so I'll let you pick your own favourite.
Daft Punk - One More Time (Redial Goes To Hell Remix)
Blaze Tripp & Redial - Stop The Noise
Clint Mansell - Requiem For A Dream (Redial Remix)
La Roux - Bulletproof (Redial Remix)
The Proxy - Who Are You (Redial Remix)
Tears For Fears - Shout (Redial Remix)
Redial - Starscream
Redial - The Riff
Redial - 45 Overdrive (EP Version)
Redial - 1985 (Feat. Smacktown)
Redial - Valkyrie
Redial - She's The Addiction
Redial - Terror
